Events D23 Expo

[Tom Morrow]

Tens of thousands expected at D23 Expo

Tens of thousands expected at Disney expo Orange County Register The D23 Expo is the first major Disney convention, coming Thursday through Sunday to the Anaheim Convention Center. It’s billed as the “ultimate Disney fan experience.” The event, open to the public, will cover everything Disney – from T.V. stars and toys to movie premieres and artifacts. CLICK ON MAP TO SEE D23 EXPO FLOORPLAN AND HIGHLIGHTS. “D23 is an unprecedented way we opened doors to Disney to fans in a way they can’t get through any other venue,” said Steven Clark, the head of D23. The concept for a Disney fan club came up about two years ago after Bob Iger, Disney’s president, kept receiving e-mails and letters asking for more connection to Disney. Even though other fan clubs exist, Iger wanted to give fans the opportunity to link directly with Disney. “When you look at the other Web sites and clubs that exist, we certainly aren’t pretending to be a replacement for them,” Clark said. “When you look at the Disney fan environment … there’s such a deep, voracious appetite for all things Disney. I think it would be foolish to think there’s a sole voice of Disney fandom. It’s a great option and great offering for fans.” Disney and convention officials are unsure how many people will show up to the event. Initial projections showed between 30,000 and 40,000 people could attend the expo, said Charles Ahlers, president of Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau. But Disney officials would only say that they expect tens of thousands people and declined to release how many have signed up so far. Registrants are coming from all 50 states and several countries, including Australia and Japan, Clark said. Convention planners expect that many will come for the day from the local region. by Sarah Tully complete article

Submitted by Ezra

[#1DisneyFreak]

I'm so nervous that this is going to slam the park on Saturday during the hunt.... since not everyone can get into every event, they are naturally going to go to the park during down time...

[jessiestudio]

i doubt it will slam it too much because the expo is filled with exhibits and events and I'm having trouble finding time to see it all after looking at the schedule. If that many people do visit the parks it will probably be with a twilight ticket on Friday or Saturday that they will be selling in the park so the Expo crowds probably wont hit the park untill about 5:30-7:30.

But then there is also the cost. Expo tickets come in at 30 dollars a day for members or something along those lines and with the dream store being there who knows how many guests will have money left over to buy park tickets.

In conclusion, yes it will be more crowded then usuall, no i dont think it will be your July size crowd.

[stephaniestracener]

I didn't even realize the VF hunt was going on...I am going to look for you all!

[believeinmagic4ever]

I heard Ridley Pearson is supposed to be there, and apparently he's going to talk about a Kingdom Keepers movie. I hope he's confirming that Disney accepted it! But honestly, I don't think they will. Don't see why they shouldn't! The books themselves are bestsellers, and i'll bet the movie will be too!

[Tom Morrow]

The Disney tattoo guy

D23: OK, we can get started. The Disney tattoo guy is here. Orange County Register George Reiger, a Disney enthusiast and tattoo collector, traveled all the way from Bethlehem, Penn. to be here at the Anaheim Convention Center for the D23 Expo, which starts today. Reiger is covered in Disney tattoos from head to toe. According to Reiger, he’s sporting 2,472 individual Disney tattoos: 2,075 characters, 325 cast member tributes, 59 iconic rides and 13 hidden Mickeys, including a special D23 tattoo. He’s been featured on network television, magazines and newspapers from around the world. He’ll be wandering the convention floor for the next four days. Keep your eyes peeled. You can’t miss him! by Joshua Sudock

Submitted by Ezra

[Tom Morrow]

Disney treasures on display

Prep-work nearly complete for D23 Expo in Anaheim Orange County Register D23, Disney’s first major fan convention, kicks off Thursday morning at the Anaheim Convention Center. The ComicCon-style event, open to the public, will cover everything Disney – from television stars and toys to movie premieres and memorabilia. It’s billed as the “ultimate Disney fan experience.” Crews labored into the night Wednesday to ready the three-floor, 800,000-square-foot, convention center for Thursday morning’s anticipated rush of local media and Disneyphiles from around the world. Robby Beeman, a collectables dealer, who was setting up some of his wares Wednesday, was optimistic about potential turnout and profitability of the event. Beeman owns a store in Anaheim called Moorehouse Collectables that stocks a large selection of Disney memorabilia. “I’ve got a good feeling about D23,” he said. “That’s why I’m taking a chance on it.” Disney and convention officials are unsure how many people will show up to the event. by Joshua Sudock complete article and PHOTOS

Submitted by Ezra

[Executioner]

Looking at the pics in the article, I really wish I could go to that! They have archive props and wardrobe rarely seen and some never seen since filming. My goodness this will be an awesome event.

[Ezra]

The Orange County Register is doing a bang-up job covering this! Here'r some links:

Fans squeal to Disney Expo opening show

Robin Williams jokes with Disney audience

Donny Osmond, Disneyland and ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Courtney Cox, Kelsey Grammer among ABC sitcom stars at D23

Disney Imagineers discuss past, future of parks
(Sadly, no big reveals. I hear that will be on Saturday.)

D23 Expo: Day one in photos

[Ezra]

From The Orange County Register:

‘Lost’ props revealed at Disney expo

Disney president calls expo a success, despite lack of numbers
Odd that they say "lack of numbers" when they don't really have any numbers, official or otherwise. Is it deserted there?


And a video from Orlando Attractions Magazine:

D23 Expo Disney Parks and Resorts booth exhibit tour

[Disneyland_DHI]

they have Annete's clothes!?!?!?! cool! it's like heaven for me... Tim Babb is going to be there! I believe he IS a member here on VF. for those of you who do not know him, he is a Comedian and Disney Podcaster (Well, not really, you see, he makes jokes about Disney in a series called Kingdom Comedy on YouTube. It all takes place in Disneyland, and all his jokes are VERY respectful to Disney, which really surprised me because I've never seen a comedian who makes respectful Disney jokes) so that makes it double heaven...

EDIT: OHMYGOSH! TONY AND BILL DID THE VOICES!!! *squeal!*

EDIT: Okay, I'm kinda glad I won't get the chance to go because I don't think I could last one day; I'd simply faint upon entering.

[Ezra]

Even more from The Orange County Register:

Johnny Depp, Miley Cyrus, Nicolas Cage, John Travolta pop up at D23

RD23 Expo: Day two in photos

Disney’s trash-talking trash can

And a nice bit from Cinematical:

Tron's Light Cycle, Jake Gyllenhaal's Duds and More at Disney's D23


A few D23 things will have their own threads:

Disney's New Horror Label

'Pirates 4' has a date and title

'Yellow Submarine' remake

[Disneysea_fan]

D23 looks like it will have some cool stuff. Of course, I wont be going because I live in Vancouver. Here are a few things about DLR that they will show at D23

* The actual Volkswagen Beetle that “played” the role of Herbie in The Love Bug
* The costume worn by Michael Jackson as “Captain EO”
* A “magic beach,” a brand-new effect developed by Walt Disney Imagineering .
* A review of digital “prints” of such classic Disney movies as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Tron, Sleeping Beauty and the 3-D versions of Toy Story and Toy Story 2, all of which will be screened for audiences over the duration of the D23 Expo.
* Celebrities such as Nicolas Cage, Courteney Cox, Selena Gomez, Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton, Tommy Kirk, Cody Linley, Paige O’Hara, Anika Noni Rose, Betty White and Robin Williams are on the list of attendees.
* Special announcements about the future of Disney theme parks, one of which has already been made by Bob Iger who said that there are no definite plans to bring Captain EO back to Disneyland at this time.
* The elusive Lucky the Dinosaur AA
* A scale model of Cars Land, planned to be built in the site of the former Timon Parking Lot.
* The costume worn by Johnny Depp in "Pirates of the Caribbean."
* A Nautilus submarine prop from Disney's feature "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."

This information is from Original D! Check it out!

[Ezra]

Michael at All Things Disney has some nice photos up of various swag to be seen at the expo:

Greetings From D23!

There was also a big anouncement about Disney Cruise Line's Alaska destination

[Ezra]

Much more from Orange County Register:

Video: Johnny Depp at Disney expo

‘Princess and the Frog’ inspired wedding gown

Disney expo attendees build giant LEGO mosaic

Disneyland’s new Mr. Lincoln mixes technology with emotion

D23 Expo: Day three in photos

Auction generates big purchases among Disney fans


Big Theme Park announcements (in their own threads):

New 'Star Tours' in 3D

Walt Disney World's New Fantasyland


Other interesting little tidbits tidbits found elsewhere (in their own threads):

"Evolution of Mickey" presentation at D23

Tron: Legacy's digitized actors